best engine oil for a 99 1.8t gti (20v 150bhp)

[4ThoseWhoLike2]

just wondered if anyone can suggest the best engine oil...

my cars is stock, has 128k on the clock and just about to have a 40k service.  the vw dealer will put shell helix (not too sure which derivative) in, but is it better for the car (and me) to buy castrol edge specially made for vw (5w-30), and get them to use that instead.

i have been motorway driving for sometime, but thats almost all but stopped now.  i treat the car well and drive fairly responsibly ie. i dont thrash it at every available moment.  i average about 360 - 410 miles and about 33-38 mpg on a full tank.

quick replies would be great...

[4ThoseWhoLike2]

just found out that they use shell helix ultra 5w-30, if that helps

[New Duncan]

Hi,

Thanks for your email.

Your car would suit best a fully synthetic 5w-40w Grade oil. I've upped the range, because older engines are obviously more worn, big end shells and cam shaft followers / guides etcetera. The Oil pump will push up to 10w - 60w on a very cold day and your radiator is not so efficient after all these years, because it will have some degradation to the cooling cells as well as some silt in it. Check water pump also. - very important.

See if you can get 5w - 40w Shell Helix which could be fine, Castrol SLX is available in 5w - 40w (Castrol edge) The retail equivalent is also available, even though they say Turbo diesel oil on the bottle.

5w - 50w Fully synthetic would also be fine. The point here is that older engines on 120k + miles on a 1999 build may get hotter and the cooling system is no longer quite so efficient.

Older rally prepared cars may use 5w - 60w because they get real hot, but I don't suppose you will be doing that sort of driving.

Sorry for the delay - I've been offshore for 5 days.

[4ThoseWhoLike2]

thanks duncan for sharing your invaluable knowledge!!